Visualized information conveying system

ABSTRACT

A handheld communication device having a logic to transfer information from a first application to a second application by using a user interface which displays a screen shot of the information gathered at the first application, and the interface also displays a list of icons indicative of other applications that is capable of receiving such information and using such information. The logic is configured to transfer the information to the second application by a drag-and-drop motion on the interface page.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/704,534, filed Feb. 12, 2010, and entitled “Visualized InformationConveying System,”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is a method of manipulating data betweenapplications on an handheld electronic devices.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Generally known methods of obtaining data from one application for usein another application require a user to go through multiple proceduralsteps. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a Windows PC user who intends onemailing a content of a website 10 to a friend will need to move thecursor to “file,” click on “file” for a pull down menu 11, and then movethe cursor to “send to” and initiate another pull down menu 12, and thenmove the cursor to “page by E-mail,” and then click on “page by E-mail.”

Similarity, a user could also use copy-and-paste function to copyinformation from one application to paste onto another application. Thistypically requires the user to manually select and choose a copyfunction, close one application, open another application, then manuallyselect and chose a paste function.

When the applications are utilized on a single window handheld device,these required steps become very tedious and time consuming.

Thus, there is still a need for relatively more efficient ways toretrieve data from one application for use in another application.

All referenced patents, applications and literatures are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definitionor use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by referenceherein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that termprovided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies andthe definition of that term in the reference does not apply. Theinvention may seek to satisfy one or more of the above-mentioneddesires. Although the present invention may obviate one or more of theabove-mentioned desires, it should be understood that some aspects ofthe invention might not necessarily obviate them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many different possibilities contemplated, an electronicdevice, such as a handheld communication device, is contemplated to havea logic that transfers information from a first application to a secondapplication, wherein both the first and the second application are runon the electronic device. The contemplated device has an operatingsystem installed in the device, and a touch screen, a processor, amemory in communication with the processor, and a logic configured todisplay a user interface having a single-page interface page.

In further contemplated embodiments, the single-page interface pagedisplays a first item (e.g., a minimized screen shot) indicative of theinformation gathered by the first application. In yet other preferredembodiments, the single-page interface page also displays a second item(e.g., an icon) indicative of the second application.

Other embodiments include a single-page interface page that displaysmore than one icons indicative of multiple numbers of applicationscapable of receiving the information from the first application.

There are further embodiments where the single-page interface pagedisplays a collection of minimized screen shots, each indicative ofinformation gathered at different times from at least one application.

The most preferred embodiments include a logic configured to transferthe information to the second application by, at most, three physicalsteps—pressing a hard key, tapping the first item on the touch screen,and use a dragging motion towards the second item.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified formand might not be to precise scale. In reference to the disclosureherein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms,such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below,beneath, rear, front, distal, and proximal are used with respect to theaccompanying drawings. Such directional terms should not be construed tolimit the scope of the invention in any manner.

FIG. 1 is a screen shot of illustrating prior art method of sending aURL address from an Internet browser via email to another person.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention,showing the change of a page of the first application, to a single-pageinterface page.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention,showing a user manipulation on the single-page interface page totransfer information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transfer of information between threeapplications on an operating system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing transfer of information from twoapplications to a third application on an operating system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of theinvention defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that theinvention as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustratedembodiments described below.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one way to send a webpage on a PC to anotherperson is to use the browser menu to select an option to email awebpage. As shown in FIG. 1, the user browses into the menu architectureto find this feature. The user uses a web browser 10 and navigates tothe file menu 11 of the application in order to find the expandingwindow 12 used to provide options to send information. Similarly, thiscan be done on a handheld or single-window device.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the instant inventivesubject matter is disclosed. Contemplated invention is an electronicdevice that supports multiple applications and functions. The electronicdevice has a logic to transfer an information 20 from a firstapplication (20, a mapping application such as Google™ Maps) to a secondapplication (any one of 31, 32, 33, 34), wherein both the first 20 andthe second application (any one of 31, 32, 33, 34) are supported on theelectronic device.

As used herein, the term “supported,” in conjunction with an applicationon the electronic device, refers to a relationship that the applicationcan function and display on the display screen of the electronic device.This term does not define and does not limit where the applications areinstalled and processed. The disclosure specifically includesapplications that are installed and processed at a server, or at anotherlocation away from the electronic device.

As used herein, the term “electronic device” refers to any one of mobilephone (including cellular phone, PDA phone, Smartphone), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable media player, a laptop computer, anda desktop computer. In the preferred embodiments, personal mobiledevices are used. More preferably, mobile phones are contemplated.

Contemplated electronic device has an operating system 54 installed inthe device, a screen (as shown by FIG. 3) disposed on the device, aprocessor 55 disposed in the device, and a memory in communication withthe processor.

Further contemplated electronic device has a logic configured to displaya user interface having a single-page interface page 24. FIG. 2 shows anexample of the interface page 24. The left side of FIG. 2 shows a screendisplaying a search result on the Google™ Map application. The rightside of FIG. 2 shows that, once a hard key or a single command is givenby the user, the screen next displays a single-page interface page 24.In this preferred example, the single-page interface page 24 displays afirst item 21 indicative of the information gathered by the firstapplication (20).

In FIG. 2, the screen shows a staging tray (the upper half of thesingle-page interface page 24) having items 21, 22, and 23. 21 is ascreen shot of the previous screen as shown on the left of FIG. 2. Items22 and 23 can be screen shots or other information gathered from thesame first application, or another application from another time. Theremay be more than just these three items on the staging tray. A simplefinger-flipping motion on the touch screen to the right or to the left(as is known in the art) can allow a user to flip through a number ofitems on the staging tray.

The first item is preferably displayed as an image of the information.For example, a screen shot of a search result of from Google™ Maps.

Also, the single-page interface page 24 also displays a second item 31indicative of the second application.

In preferred embodiments, this single-page interface page 24 can providea list of target applications 31, 32, 33, 34 that can receiveinformation previously gathered and placed on the staging tray. Thesetarget application can include an email application 31, an photomanagement application (e.g., photo album) 34, a multi-media managementapplication, an audio management application, an address bookapplication, a note-taking application, an instant messaging application33, a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) application 32, a shortmessaging service (SMS) application, an internet browser, and athird-party application.

Although only four target applications are shown in FIG. 2, there may bemore than just these four target application on the target tray 30. Asimple finger-flipping motion on the touch screen in the target tray 30to the right or to the left (as known in the art) can allow a user toflip through a number of icons for various target applications on thetarget tray 30.

As used herein, the term “information” refers to any representation ofdata such as a screen shot, an image file, a photo file, a URL link, awebpage, a vCard, a text file, and a group of text.

Contemplated inventive subject matter includes a logic configured totransfer the information to the second application by a user'smanipulation between the first item 21 and the second item (any one of31, 32, 33, 34) on the single-page interface page 24.

In the example as illustrated in FIG. 2, a user is at first usingGoogle™ Maps 20 on his single window mobile phone to look up an address.When he finds it and desires to send the map to another person viae-mail, it takes no more than three user-initiated physical steps tobring the desired information into an email application for furtherprocessing (example of further processing: the user will next type inthe recipient's email address and hit “send.”).

In other words, the information transfer step can be performed by thelogic when a user instruction of no more than three user-initiatedphysical motion steps are detected by the electronic device.

Step 1:

In the example, the user leaves Google™ Maps 20 (preferably temporarily)by pressing a hard key or via context menu. This action automaticallytakes a screenshot of the search result from the displayed Google™ Maps20 page, and places it on the next page. On the next page, he sees asingle-page interface page 24 containing a staging tray having severalscreenshots 21, 22, and 23. The screenshot 21 in the middle is thescreenshot of the map he wants to email to another person. The targettray 30 includes icons of several destination (target) applications 31,32, 33, 34 to receive the screen shot 21. This completes the firstuser-initiated physical step—pressing a hard key or via context menu.

Steps 2 and 3:

The user “moves” 41 screenshot 21 to email application icon 31. FIG. 3illustrates the “move” in more details.

In one embodiment, the “move” requires a touch screen, and the usertouches 40 screenshot 21 on the touch screen followed by touching 42 theemail icon 31 on the touch screen. This “move” does not necessarilyrequire a “dragging” of the user's finger from spot 40 to spot 42. Themove 41 is completed by two tapping of the spot 40 followed by tappingof spot 42. This can be done using only one finger, for example.

In yet another embodiment, a tapping 40 and 42 on the touch screen inboth spots 40 and 42 on the touch screen with some overtime in time isrequired. In other words, a continuous touching of the screen betweenthe time the user touches spot 40 and the user touches the spot 42. This“move” does not necessarily require a “dragging” of the user's fingerfrom spot 40 to spot 42. The move 41 is completed by two tapping of thespot 40 followed by tapping of spot 42, without releasing the touch onspot 40. This cannot be done using only one finger. For example, theuser can tap spot 40 using one finger, and while spot 40 is beingtouched, tap spot 42 using another finger.

In the most preferred embodiment, a tapping 40 of the finger on thetouch screen and a dragging 41 of the finger on the touch screen towardthe second application 31 is required.

Contemplated tapping on the touch screen can be done by a stylus or by ahuman finger.

In other embodiments where a mouse is used, for example, the user canmove the cursor to screenshot 21, click and hold it, and drag it toemail application 31 for emailing it.

In FIG. 4, an embodiment is shown where the transfer of information toand from three applications 51, 52, 53 is effectuated via operatingsystem 54. A function running a visual system can be placed on theoperating system to manage multiple applications and replace the typicalcopy-and-paste method. By pressing a hard key or using the context menu,the device will save data and allow the user to use additional functionssuch as drag and drop.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment is shown where the transfer of informationfrom two applications 51, 52 to a third application 53 is effectuatedvia operating system 54. Screenshot information is extracted when theuser completes step 1 as described above. Object A1 and Object A2 (57and 58) are then carried over to user interface 59 (previously describedas single page interface page 24). The user then performs steps two andthree as previously described (action interface step 60) to passinformation to the third application 53.

The contemplated function 55 provides a way to extract 56 information(objects 57, 58) such as text or pictures in the application.Additionally, the function provides a user Using this function, anaction interface 60 runs on the system, separate from the applications51, 52, 53 to provide a menu to automatically execute communicativetasks to other applications or transmit information. By doing this, theexchange of information between applications is handled by the function55. This action interface 59 enables the user to drag and drop objectsfrom several applications or instances of an application.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of Visualized InformationConveying System have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, tothose skilled in the art that many more modifications besides thosealready described are possible without departing from the inventiveconcepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to berestricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, ininterpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should beinterpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context.In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should beinterpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in anon-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with otherelements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include whatis specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptuallyequivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentiallyincorporates the essential idea of the invention. In addition, where thespecification and claims refer to at least one of something selectedfrom the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should beinterpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N,or B plus N, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an operatingsystem installed in the device; a screen disposed on the device; aprocessor disposed in the device; a memory in communication with theprocessor; a first logic configured to display a user interface havingan interface page, wherein the interface page displays a first itemindicative of a information outputted by a first application; whereinthe interface page also displays a second item indicative of a secondapplication; and a second logic configured to transfer the informationto the second application by a user's manipulation between the firstitem and the second item on the interface page.
 2. An electronic deviceas recited in claim 1, wherein the information is selected from thegroup consisting of a screen shot, an image file, a photo file, a URLlink, a webpage, a vCard, and a group of text.
 3. An electronic deviceas recited in claim 2, wherein prior to displaying the interface page,the screen displays the first application, and the first logic isconfigured to switch from the screen that displays the first applicationto the screen that displays the interface page, when the user performsat least one of a. Pressing a hard key, and b. Making a selection from acontext menu.
 4. An electronic device as recited in claim 3, wherein thedisplay page also displays at least one other item indicative of oneother application, wherein the second logic enables the at least oneother application to receive the transfer of information from the firstapplication, and wherein the one other application is selected from thegroup consisting of a multi-media management application, an audiomanagement application, an address book application, a note-takingapplication, an instant messaging application, a Multimedia MessagingService (MMS) application, a short messaging service (SMS) application,an internet browser, and a third-party application.
 5. An electronicdevice, comprising: a processor disposed in the device; a memory incommunication with the processor; an operating system installed in thememory; and a contemplated function, stored in the memory, configured tooperative with the operating system to display a user interface havingan interface page, wherein the interface page displays a first itemindicative of a information outputted by a first application, and theinterface page also displays a second item indicative of a secondapplication; wherein the contemplated function also configured tooperative with the operating system to transfer the information to thesecond application by a user's manipulation between the first item andthe second item on the interface page.
 6. A method of transferring aninformation from a first application to a second application on ahandheld mobile device having a touch screen, wherein both the first andthe second application are run on the handheld mobile device, the methodcomprising: having an operating system installed in the handheld mobiledevice; having said touch screen on the handheld mobile device todisplay said information and to receive an user input; having aprocessor disposed in the handheld mobile device; having a memory incommunication with the processor; having a page on the touch screen todisplay a first item indicative of the information of (instead of theword, gathered by) the first application; (the first item can be theinformation, or just a icon) wherein the page also displays a seconditem (may overlay the first item, for example, a photo being viewed andsemi-transparent icons across the bottom) indicative of the secondapplication; having a logic configured to transfer the information tothe second application by a user's sliding movement of a fingertip onthe touch screen between the first item and the second item, as thefirst item and the second item are concurrently displayed on the touchscreen; wherein the second application is at least one selected from agroup consisting of an email application, a photo managementapplication, a multi-media management application, an audio managementapplication, an address book application, a note-taking application, aninstant messaging application, a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)application, a short messaging service (SMS) application; automaticallydisplaying (not just icon, but the running application) the secondapplication on the touch screen after the sliding movement, allowing theuser to process the information using the second application; andwherein the process step is at least one selected from the groupconsisting of saving the information, and transmitting the informationover a network.
 7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein theinformation is selected from the group consisting of a screen shot, animage file, a photo file, a URL link, a webpage, a vCard, and a group oftext, and wherein the handheld mobile device is a cellular phone.
 8. Themethod as recited in claim 7 wherein the second item is an icon.